Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair and Members

Sara Haden, Chair

Joau Duncan

Karyn Smarz

Keywords

Betrayal trauma, Child sexual abuse, Mental contamination, OCD, Relationship OCD

Abstract

The aim of this project was to gain a better understanding of whether survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CTQ) are more prone to enduring higher levels of relationship-centered relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCI) symptoms. This project also examined whether mental contamination (VOCI-MC) influenced the relationship between CTQ and ROCI and if this impact was dependent on levels of betrayal trauma. It was hypothesized that betrayal trauma (BQ) would moderate the mediating effect of VOCI-MC on CRQ and ROCI symptoms. A sample of 270 female participants ages 18 years and older completed an online survey that assessed histories of childhood trauma, ROCI symptoms, and VOCI-MC. Participants who endorsed histories of CSA (N = 162) also completed an additional measure to evaluate betrayal trauma in the context of their CTQ. Results showed significant positive direct effects of CTQ on ROCI and CTQ on VOCI-MC. Additionally, VOCI-MC significantly mediated the relationship between CTQ and ROCI. Results also demonstrated that BQ did not significantly moderate the mediating effect of CTQ on ROCI by VOCI-MC. As an exploratory component, this study hypothesized that vulnerability to VOCI-MC would mediate the relationship between CTQ and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as well as the relationship between CTQ and ROCI. Clinical implications, limitations, and future directions of this research are also presented to highlight important considerations regarding ROCI, CTQ, VOCI-MC, and BQ.

Keywords: childhood sexual abuse, relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mental contamination, betrayal

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